TEAM TRIPLE-A!
Sunday’s Monday
I am posing a question today that will require some thought. What is it exactly that Jesus asked us to do? Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV), 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Out of everything Jesus has asked us to do He said, “these are the greatest.” Yet we, His people have severely clouded His greatest commands by trying to understand those things recorded in the bible that confuse and distract us. Now don’t read what isn’t written, we need to know the bible as best we can but the bible without a love for God is simply another book. The bible doesn’t forgive and save, Jesus does!
This is where the Triple-A comes into effect. Jesus teaches us through prayer, the bible, and fellow followers of Jesus to become Ardent, Astute, and Authentic. Sounds a little off the wall but please continue to read and I’ll explain, using dictionary.com. Ardent is defined as; intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous. Which most of us will experience at the point of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. We find in Romans 10:1-3 (ESV), 10 Brothers, my heart's desire, and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. It is important to learn the transcendent order that The Apostle Paul speaks of in Ephesians 2:10 (ESV), For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Having said that, we can now see where Astute comes into play. Dictionary.com gives the definition of Astute as; keenly perceptive or discerning; sagacious. We find in Luke 5:22 (ESV), When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? As a follower of Jesus, one must be keenly perceptive to the instructions of Jesus as well as the needs of those we come in contact with each day. God has given us all the ability to discern when people are in need but only Jesus has the expertise to hone our ability to the keen level God desires. As Jesus develops our perception, we find that our level of zeal will grow, and the Holy Spirit will become more prevalent in our everyday life. At this point we are Arden (cocked and loaded) and Astute (ready to hunt).
I hope when you read that last line you chuckled. Most men will get it. You see as a young boy I was ready to hunt at 12 years old (so I thought) but when I was in the woods with dad and figured out, I didn’t know how, I decided to pretend. To my surprise, I found out years later that there was only one fool on that hunt, and it wasn’t my dad. I said that to say, one has to be Authentic in everything you do! Again using dictionary.com Authentic, representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified. One thing that I’m sure of is you do not want to be the only fool in the room when you’re about God’s business. Believe me it is better for the world to think you know nothing than it is for you to know everything. God helps me to remember, I can’t give away what I don’t have and that keeps me Authentic plus I don’t wish to be the only fool in the room. Don’t read what isn’t written, it is ok to fake it till you make it, just don’t be peddling bogus merchandise! Be real, honest, and original. Please quote 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV), But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: as often as you will with a grateful heart. The grate Greek philosopher Socrates believed that the easiest way to learn was by asking questions. I believe this to be true of not only of asking others but ourselves as well. We all need to face our innermost feelings and subject them to the light of Jesus.
God I boldly come before you today asking that you put a burden on each heart to Authentically pray
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV), 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting! As we become Astute to your desires and instructions, grant us a supernatural Ardent to accomplish each according to your will. Father, I pray that loving you would be as natural as breathing, and that no matter the circumstances Joy would fill our hearts. Thank you, Father, for every opportunity you provide for us to live your truth as our testimony of faith. I ask you Lord, to keep us safe and well as we walk in Jesus name. Amen.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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